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[a] The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation,
    thou hast increased its joy;
they rejoice before thee
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    thou hast broken as on the day of Mid′ian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
    and his name will be called
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
    to establish it, and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb

The people walking in darkness(A)
    have seen a great light;(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness(C)
    a light has dawned.(D)
You have enlarged the nation(E)
    and increased their joy;(F)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.(G)
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,(H)
    you have shattered(I)
the yoke(J) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,(K)
    the rod of their oppressor.(L)
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,(M)
    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,(N)
    to us a son is given,(O)
    and the government(P) will be on his shoulders.(Q)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,(R) Mighty God,(S)
    Everlasting(T) Father,(U) Prince of Peace.(V)
Of the greatness of his government(W) and peace(X)
    there will be no end.(Y)
He will reign(Z) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice(AA) and righteousness(AB)
    from that time on and forever.(AC)
The zeal(AD) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

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11 For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, 12 training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, 13 awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior[a] Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

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Footnotes

  1. Titus 2:13 Or of the great God and our Savior

11 For the grace(A) of God has appeared(B) that offers salvation to all people.(C) 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,(D) and to live self-controlled,(E) upright and godly lives(F) in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing(G) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,(H) 14 who gave himself for us(I) to redeem us from all wickedness(J) and to purify(K) for himself a people that are his very own,(L) eager to do what is good.(M)

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The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin′i-us was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, good will among men

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before